Portable electrode holder



Oct. 25, 1932. E. CHAPMAN PORTABLE ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Oct. 21. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet JNVENToR. fue ref?? (v @[Zwzfz a @CL ATTORNEY E. CHAPMAN Oct. 2.5, 193.2.

PORTABLE ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed OCT.. 2l, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet JNVENTOR. were 2727 C72 lmarz By Mmmfu@ A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES.-

' assist( PAreN/r;- OFFICE Evnaarr GHAIMAN, or cLEvELANn, omo, AssIeNoR ro una 'LINCOLN unaware COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, omoI7 a coaroNAfrroN or omo @ETABLE LECTRDE HZLDER This invention, as indicated, relates to electrode holders and more particularly to electrode holders of the portable type which are adapted to be grasped in the hand of the operator during the welding process. ln the use of the electric arc for metal working 'or for analogous operations wherein the elec trode is moved about by hand, considerable difficulty has been encountered in providing/a 1Q' satisfactory holder for such electrodes, particularly where the latter is in the form of a carbonpencil. An electrode holder capable i of ready and easy manipulation by hand must have the essential qualiications of being light 1Q' in weight and also the movement ot such electrode holder must be hampered by as few -connections or leads as possible.

It is an object of my invention to provide an electrode holder having the qualifications and advantages above s et forth as well as other advantages which will appear as my description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the Jforegoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings-and the following description set forth in detail certain mecha nism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the electrode holder embodying the principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is apart section, part elevation of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the lines 3--3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a. sectional view taken on the plane indicated bythe line 1 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is part section, partelevation on the planes indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is an enlarged part section and part elevation of a part of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a part section, part elevation taken on the plane uvbstntially indicated by the line 7-7 of Referring more specifically to the drawings B0 and more especially to Fig. 1, the device here illustrated consists olf rigid conduits l and 2, one ot which is suitably connected to a source of supply (not shown) of a suitable temperu ture modifying medium, such as water, and the other oli which is suitably connected to means (not shown) 'Eor discharging such modifying medium. 'lo the ends 3 and 1loli the rigid conduits 1 and 2, respectivelr are connected dexible conduits 5 and 6, sai` ends 3 and d telescopically engaged by such exible conduits and secured thereto by means of clamping members 7. To the other ends oi' such HeXible conduits 5 and 6 are attached the connecting elements 8, and 9, respective-ly, which are telescopically secured to such den ible conduits 5 and 6 by means of the clamping elements 10. Suitably connected to the elements 8 and 9 are elbows 11 and 12 which are in turn adapted to receive the coupling elements 13 and 14.

The coupling elements 13 and 1d are ref spectively connected to the opposite ends 15 and 16 of a tube which hasthe terminating portions 17 and 18 thereof disposed in a sub-e stantially parallel position and which has its medial portion helically formed as at 19. The helicallyformed portion of the tube has the inner periphery thereof slightly flattened as at 20 to frictionally secure the electrode 21, shown inserted therein in Fig. 1. To the i: outer surface of the vhelically formed portion of the tube is attached suitable insulating means 22, which also serves to maintain the respective turns of the helically formed tube in proper position. Suitably attached to the rigid conduits 1 and 2, as shown in Fig. 6, are flexible electric leads 23 which are encompassed by the flexible conduits and 6 @lili rand which at their other ends pass through l,

' jected. The complementary elements 31 and 32 are suitably removably united by means of bolts 34. Positioned intermediately of the tubes 17 and 18 and the complementary elements 31 and 32 are suitable insulating means 35, which alford electrical as well as thermal insulation to the elements 31 and 32 with respect to the tube members- 17 and 18. These elements 31 and 32 are so formed as to size and contour as to be readily adaptable to be grasped by the hand of the operator. At. tached to the elements 31 and 32 at their especially adapted ends 36 by means of bolts 37,

A is a suitable shield member 38 which has a slot 39 formed therein and through which project the ends of the tube members 17 and 18.

In the operation of this device the oL rators hand grasps the tool at 40 and a r a circulation of a temperature modifying medium, such as water, has been caused to circulate through the various conduits, the welding arc is struck between the end of the elecl trode 21 and the work to be welded. The

electric current entering the end of the elec, trode 21 asses upwardly therethrough and into the elically formed portion 19 of the tube elements 17 and 18, passes through such tube elements and into the iexible electric leads 23 at the connections 24 and 25, follows through such flexible leads 23 and into the rigid conduits l and 2, from which it passes into the element 26 and into the lead 28 by way of the connection 29, by which it is guided to one pole of the source of supply. The temperature modifying medium introduced into the various conduits circulates through the tubes which are helically formed at 19 to secure the electrode 21, thereby cooling`such 'electrode holder as well as the handle 40 by which such holder is controlled and also serves as a cooling means for the flexible leads 23, which of necessity must carry a high welding current.

A further advantage of this construction is that the iiexible electric leads are encompassed by the flexible conduits, thereby reducing in number the necessary appen ages to such electrode holder which materially curtail the ease with which such holder is operated. By having a iexible electric lead in both of the e'xible conduits the cross sectional area of the leads required to carry the high welding current is thereby increased so .as to prevent the possibility of heating such leads.

The manner in which the handle of the device is constructed insures a rigid structure as well as a structure of minimum weight, which is essential in devices of this character. The shield element 38 attached to the ends of the elements 31 and 32is interposed between the Operators hand and the arc struck be-` tween the electrode 21 and the work to be welded and thereby protects the operators hand from the heat of such arc.

No further description of the manner of use of my improved electrode holder is deemed necessary since the use of a device of this sort is in general well understood. The several adjustments and the mode of o eration of the novel parts comprising t e device will moreover be readily understood from the foregoin description thereof. The device has been su jectedy to severe practical tests without the handle 40 becoming uncomfortably warm; in fact, the usual protective mitten may be discarded if desired. Furthermore, due to the fact that the electrode holder is positively cooled throu hout its entirety, the life of such holder an its various parts is correspondingly prolonged and the operation, whatever its character, in which the electric arc is being utilized is materially facilitated.

Other modes of applying the rinciple of my invention may employed) instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, rovided the means stated by any of the fo owing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly. claim as my inventlon:

1. A weldin electrode manipulating tool having electr le gripping means consisting of a thermal and electrical conductive cooling coil having its terminals leading therefrom, flexible conduits associated with the terminals in said coil, and flexible electric conductors in said flexible conduits and se,

cured to the terminals of said coil.

2. In a weldin electrode manipulating tool, the combination of electrode gripping means comprising a helically formed tube of electrical and thermal conductivity, the terminals of said tube arranged as a handle for the tool, iexible conduits attached to the ends of said tube, and flexible electricconductors secured to said tube and leading therefrom within said iiexible conduits.

3. A welding electrode manipulating tool` having electrode gripping means consisting of a helically arranged electrical conductive cooling coil provided with at areas on the inner periphery of the coil to en age the electrode, the terminals of said co' leading therefrom in the form of a handle for the tool,` flexible conduits attached to said terminals, and iiexible electric conductors secured to said terminals and leading therefrom within said exible conduits.

4. A welding electrode manipulating tool having electrode gripping means, a passage cooperating with said gripping means for the circulation of a cooling fiuid, flexible conduits for supplying cooling medium to said holder, and electrical conductors for said holder positioned within said conduits.

Signed by me this 18th day of October, 1929.

EVERETT CHAPMAN. 

